For the last several years, quirky new technologies, distinctively new models and start-up brands have greeted runners at specialty retail shops every spring, and this year is no different. One of the new brands, Scott, turned some heads at an industry trade show last fall with its lightweight, low-to-the-ground Makani II ($110), while Brooks is making a splash with its new Green Silence ($100, pictured on right), a 6.9-ounce trainer/racer made entirely from recycled and eco-friendly materials. On the trail side, inov-8's Oroc 340 ($120) is unique for the nine metal spikes built into the rubber lugs in its outsole.

A year after Born to Run became a New York Times best seller espousing barefoot running, nearly every running shoe company is talking about some form of "natural running" or "barefoot technique" with one or more of its new models this year. It's a trend that's been simmering for a few years, one that should signal a welcomed return to more minimalist shoes that allow a runner's feet to have better feel for the ground and, ultimately, better, stronger running form. Hopefully that will lead to a renewed commitment to running fast as opposed to just finishing races. Of course, it could also lead to injuries for runners who aren't strong enough to run in minimalist shoes, those who try to transition to natural form too quickly or those who insist on running completely unshod too often.

After mediocre seasons in 2008 and 2009, Alan Webb broke away from longtime coach Scott Raczko and moved to Beaverton, Ore., to train under Alberto Salazar. Will the American record-holder in the mile (who turned 27 in January) continue to run the 1500m/mile in 2010? Or will Salazar, who has never coached an elite miler, use Webb's combination of speed and distance to turn him into another sub-13:00 guy in the 5,000m? Either way, because there are no world championships or Olympics to worry about, it will be an ideal year to run fast times.

7) THE OREGON PROJECT

Speaking of Salazar, he and Jerry Schumacher are training a gaggle of the top American distance runners at Nike's world headquarters, and many should make headlines this year. What will Galen Rupp do in his first season out of college? And will he follow in Salazar's post-collegiate footsteps and run a marathon this year? Will Shalane Flanagan run a marathon in 2010? Will Matt Tegenkamp break Dathan Ritzenhein's American record in the 5,000m? Will Ritz become a sub-2:07 marathoner this spring or will he set his sights on the U.S. 10,000m record? Will 32-year-old Amy Yoder-Begley (four U.S. titles, numerous PRs in 2009) continue her crazy success?

8) JENNY BARRINGER

Despite a nightmarish experience at the NCAA cross country meet last fall in her final season of eligibility for Colorado, look for Barringer to have another breakthrough season now that she's a well-paid professional. She'll continue to focus on the 3,000m steeplechase, but expect her to run world-class times in the 1500m and 5,000m, too.

9) HAYWARD FIELD

Eugene will again be the place to be to see some of the hottest distance running action in the U.S. In addition to hosting several top-level college meets, Hayward Field will also host the June 9-12 NCAA Div

ision I Outdoor Track and Field Championships and the July 3 Nike Prefontaine Classic, one of only 14 international meets in the IAAF's inaugural Diamond League. (Another, the adidas Grand Prix, will be held June 12 at New York City's Icahn Stadium.)

10) YOUNG GUNS

Not since the early 1980s has so much young talent been percolating in the U.S. Look for Stanford's Chris Derrick (age 20), Oklahoma State's German Fernandez (19) and Nike-sponsored pro Evan Jager (20) to continue their meteoric rise on the track this spring. On the women's side, there are plenty of young college runners, including Oregon's Jordan Hasay (18) and Colorado's Allie McLaughlin (18) to watch this year, but don't forget about reigning U.S. women's marathon champion Ilsa Paulson, who will be 21 this year. Behind them are scores of talented high school runners--paced by 17-year-olds Lukas Verzbicas (pictured at right) of Illinois and Chelsey Sveinsson and Craig Lutz of Texas--who are leading the next wave.

11) FASTER MASTERS

While we might be in the third wave of the Great American Running Boom, there are plenty of originals still getting it done on the roads and the track. The competition in almost every 40-and-over age group is as strong as it's ever been, which is a good reason to believe the July 22-25 national outdoor track championships in Sacramento will provide some fireworks. (It's also the host site of the 2011 world masters championships.)

12) BOSTON, CHICAGO, NEW YORK

As much as they're harder than ever to get into, Boston, Chicago and New York City will still be the marquee marathons in the U.S. Boston will again have compelling race drama, Chicago will still be the place to run fast and New York will host the U.S. women's marathon championship this fall.